Origin
Champaign, IL
Afternoon in Champaign on Sunday
Local time
3:03 PM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Champaign, IL to Markham, IL
Drive Time
2h 30m
Distance
131.8 mi
212 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$20
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 20m
★
6 AM
2h 30m
8 AM
2h 50m
10 AM
2h 37m
12 PM
2h 35m
3 PM
2h 38m
5 PM
2h 49m
8 PM
2h 24m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Markham, IL
Mike Tyurin
Trip Overview
Driving from Champaign to Markham covers approximately 131.8 miles and typically takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes. Since this trip is relatively short, it is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion without the need for an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via I-72 and local connectors like West Church Street to complete the journey. With fuel costs estimated at around $20, this is an economical Midwestern commute. Whether you are heading north for business or personal travel, you can expect a straightforward transition between these two Illinois hubs. The route is highly efficient, allowing you to spend more time at your destination rather than behind the wheel.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
65.9 miles from Champaign, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 14m into the drive .
Drive Character
This journey is a quintessential highway-focused drive, with 97% of your time spent on high-speed roads. You will settle into a long, consistent rhythm during the 122-mile stretch on I-72, which makes up the vast majority of the trip. Because the route relies so heavily on interstate travel, expect a steady, predictable experience rather than a winding or technical drive. While the transition from local streets like West Church Street to the interstate is brief, the character of the road remains functional and efficient throughout. It is a straightforward trek designed to get you from point A to point B with minimal complexity.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 11 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 72 is the longest continuous segment at about 122 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 72 and I 72 Bus. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near West University Avenue.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 2h 30m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (West University Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (North Randolph Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (West Church Street): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 8 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
West University Avenue
Turn right onto West University Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
North Randolph Street
Turn right onto North Randolph Street
Navigation decision point
5
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
West Church Street
Turn left onto West Church Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
7
82.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 31m in
|
I 72; US 36
Take the exit onto I 72; US 36 toward I 55 South, I 72 West: Saint Louis, Jacksonville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 55 South, I 72 West: Saint Louis, Jack...
6
87.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 38m in
|
I 72; US 36
Keep slight right at fork onto I 72; US 36 toward I 72 West, US 36 West: Jacksonville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 72 West, US 36 West: Jacksonville
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Champaign, IL to Markham, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Jacksonville along the way.
Jacksonville
82.1 mi in
|
~1h 31m
|
via I 72; US 36
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 72 | 122 mi | 2h 12m |
| I 72 Bus | 6 mi | 6m |
| West Church Street | 1.9 mi | 4m |
| Markham Road | 1.1 mi | 4m |
| North Randolph Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| West University Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| North Neil Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 72
— 122 mi, about 2h 12m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Champaign, IL and Markham, IL.
1
Start on North Neil Street
42 ft
·
5 sec
·
North Neil Street
2
Turn right onto West University Avenue
463 ft
·
17 sec
·
West University Avenue
3
Turn right onto North Randolph Street
0.1 mi
·
27 sec
·
North Randolph Street
4
Turn left onto West Church Street
1.9 mi
·
4 min
·
West Church Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
5
Continue on I 72
80 mi
·
1 hr 26 min
·
I 72
6
Take the exit onto I 72; US 36
5.3 mi
·
6 min
·
I 72; US 36
Toward I 55 South, I 72 West: Saint Louis, Jacksonville
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 72; US 36
37 mi
·
39 min
·
I 72; US 36
Toward I 72 West, US 36 West: Jacksonville
8
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 72 Business East, US 67 North: Jacksonville
9
Merge onto I 72 Bus; US 67
6.0 mi
·
6 min
·
I 72 Bus; US 67
10
Turn left onto Markham Road
1.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Markham Road
11
Arrive at destination
Markham Road
Trip Plan
To keep your travel stress-free, plan for at least one stop during your 131.8-mile journey to stretch your legs. Given the duration, you have plenty of flexibility to depart whenever suits your schedule, though monitoring traffic patterns near the destination is always a smart move. Because the drive is largely highway-based, ensure your vehicle is prepped for sustained speeds before hitting the interstate. You can comfortably budget $20 for fuel, but keeping a little extra set aside is always good practice for any road trip. Since you have a single planned stop, use that break to refuel or grab a snack so you can finish the remaining miles feeling refreshed.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 65.9 miles from Champaign, IL, or about 1h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 122 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 80 miles or 1h 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 65.9 miles or 1h 14m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Markham, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Champaign, IL so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Champaign, IL
This is one driving day of about 131.8 miles and 2h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Champaign, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 72 for about 122 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 65.9 mi from Champaign, IL · 1h 14m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
66 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 65.9 miles from Champaign, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 72 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 122 miles.
Arriving in Markham, IL
The final approach into Markham, IL usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Markham, IL.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.02 one way
$40.04 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
46 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $22.07 | $44.14 |
| premium | $4.80 | $24.88 | $49.76 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $29.28 | $58.56 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$20
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 46.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 39.5 | 0 | $13.84 | $6.33 |
| Efficient EV | 33 | 0 | $11.53 | $5.27 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 52.7 | 0 | $18.45 | $8.44 |
Gas CO2
46 kg
EV CO2
15 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Markham, IL
Afternoon in Markham on Sunday
Local time
3:03 PM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
19 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 30m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Champaign, IL to Markham, IL covers 131.8 miles and takes about 2h 30m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 72, I 72 Bus, West Church Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 65.9 miles from Champaign, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $20.02 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a straightforward 2h 30m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (West University Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (North Randolph Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (West Church Street): Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Champaign, IL to Markham, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Jacksonville along the way.
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